bio

NEAL ROMANEK …

… was born November 12, 1967, in Abilene, Texas, to a mother who survived the Nazi bombing of London and a father who was a B-52 navigator/bombardier in the Vietnam War.

… grew up in the idyllic suburbia of Kettering, Ohio.

… moved to Los Angeles after acceptance to the University of Southern California. He was a National Merit Scholar and member of USC’s Thematic Option honors program.

… graduated from the USC School of Cinema-Television Production (now called “USC School of Cinematic Arts“) with classmates Matthew Weiner (“Mad Men”), John Singleton (“Boyz N the Hood”), and Bryan Singer (“X-Men”).

… studied a year abroad at the University of Kent at Canterbury – 19th century American literature, Australian cinema, and a seminar called “The Self: Issues in Psychology, Parapsychology and Spirituality”.

… was a driver for comedian Rodney Dangerfield during production of Rodney’s animated film “Rover Dangerfield”.

… become an animation editor for childhood hero Ralph Bakshi on “Cool World”.

… worked at the Photograph Archive of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Center For Motion Picture Study.

… began his professional writing career by optioning sci-fi thriller “Carnival Earth” to Carolco Pictures.

… has written screenplays for legendary producers, like Dino Di Laurentiis and Mario Kassar – and also for producers you have never heard of, nor are ever likely to hear of.

… has been blessed with some of the world’s best teachers, including Nina Foch for directing, Marshall Vandruff for visual art, RSC vet W. Morgan Sheppard for acting, Mark Bryan & Julia Cameron for multiple Artist’s Way workshops, and Anne & Larry Lincoln for what makes us tick.

… attended his first Academy Awards show as a waiter at the Academy Governors’ Ball.

… then, years later, attended the show as an Academy employee.

… has never, ever been nominated for an Academy Award, but has friends who have, so that’s something.

… married writer/therapist Janet Walker in 2004, in the Rotunda of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

… is 5′ 11″ (180.34 cm) tall or something.

… is both tattooed and pierced.

… is author of the online science fiction ARG,The Cyclopedia Of Worlds.

… continues to write movies – as well as articles on the latest developments in media technology.

… loves L.A.

… but currently lives in London, England with his wife, his daughter, and three extremely dangerous cats.